There are nine uncapped players in Allister Coetzee’s Spingboks squad, named to take on Ireland in a three-Test series in June.
Garth April, Ruan Combrinck, Faf de Klerk, Nic Groom, Steven Kitshoff, Jaco Kriel, Bongi Mbonambi, Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Scarra Ntubeni are the new additions to the squad of 31.
Springboks squad named to play Ireland
Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Scarra Ntubeni, Jaco Kriel, Julian Redelinghuys, Warren Whiteley, Trevor Nyakane, Adriaan Strauss, Lood de Jager, Steven Kitshoff, Francois Louw, Tendai Mtawarira, Duane Vermeulen
Backs: Garth April, Patrick Lambie, Lwazi Mvovo, JP Pietersen, Wille le Roux, Ruan Combrinck, Faf de Klerk, Elton Jantjies, Lionel Mapoe, Jesse Kriel, Rudy Paige, Jan Serfontein, Damian de Allende, Nic Groom
April comes as something of a shock, called up in his first season of Super Rugby for the Sharks, while Combrinck, Kriel and de Klerk are rewarded for their form with the Africa-leading Lions.
The other five new faces are all players Coetzee has previously worked with during his stint as coach of the Stormers.
The squad has a clear focus on those talents currently plying their trade in South Africa rather than overseas, with the likes of Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis – currently based in France – overlooked.
“The announcement of the squad, while hugely challenging, is a highlight of my career and a result of a lot of hard work and a huge amount of planning since my appointment,” said Coetzee.
“The selection of this squad was based on rewarding form and exposing young and upcoming local players to the Springboks, which is why priority was given to locally based players. We have many experienced players still available for selection, but we just felt that the time was right to look at the next generation.
“Our depth was obviously tested in certain positions, but this also created opportunities for new players, who have found their feet at Vodacom Super Rugby level, and to make the step up to the Springboks.
“I was appointed to win Test matches and I believe we have picked the best possible, available squad to do that. During my recent visits to the various franchises, I witnessed an unbelievable desire and passion from our players to play for South Africa, which was really heartening.
“We will now start with our preparations in earnest in Stellenbosch so that we can be ready for Ireland in Cape Town in two weeks’ time.”
In some way the names who are missing tell the story of this squad just as much as the names that are new. Retirees Victor Matfield, Jean de Villiers and Fourie du Preez are now noticeably absent.
Coetzee hasn’t named a new captain to replace de Villiers at this stage, intending to spend a bit more time with the squad before making a decision.
“We have a number of captaincy candidates to consider and I will announce the name of the captain when we name the team to face Ireland in Cape Town in a few days’ time,” said Coetzee.
Bryan Habana is also absent – focusing on his goal of playing Rugby Sevens at the Olympics – as is Schalk Burger, currently injured.
Lostintokyo
Guest
Nine new Boks! If Coetzee can introduce that missing enterprise and flair into the game plan, then the Boks are back in business. Good luck! Except against the Wallabies.
felix
Guest
Mostert is a great workhorse himself but maybe not as good in the lineouts
mochyn hedfan
Guest
Nothing to complain about? Does not matter who they pick. If the Boks ever got a decent coach they would seriously be dangerous but fortunately for the rest of us they have not had a thinker in charge since Carel DuPlessis, and then after a few poor results they lost their nerve and scrambled back to the laager. Ultra conservative teams playing rugby at least 5 years behind everyone else. Chuck in the political crap - look at the 2 hookers from the Stormers and Rudy Paige! It is a miracle they beat anybody, That they are still competitive says a great deal about the quality of player SA produces. Lions lead by donkeys.
Rabbits
Guest
Schalk, Matfield and Du Preez?? Why did you even mention their names? Agree with Habana and Alberts as they still have something to offer at test level but you must be studying for a doctorate in paleontology mentioning the other three - they're way past their primes.
Harry Jones
Expert
Gutted for PSDT. Was one of the players of SR 2016; tore hamstring against Cheetahs. Out 4-6 weeks; will not add to his Bok caps. Mostert is in
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Nice squad,& it will be interesting to see as to who Coetzee, makes captain. Great to see Garth April being called up, as from what I have seen of him, he is an exciting talent.
Harry Jones
Expert
We've played Wales 12 times in the last 10 years.
Harry Jones
Expert
I suppose there's a philosophical distinction there. I've tended to pay attention to the gap in home-and-away test records, and it's been rewarding when tipping. I always see a 0-win record for a nation as significant when it's decades-long. There's some barrier in place (could be mental) and at this elite level, the margins are so tiny, anyway.
Bobby Gibbins
Guest
Wow, South Africa and France have only played each other 4 times in the past 10 years, while the AB's and France have battled it out 14 times in that period. Is South Africa losing out on quality games against Northern Hemisphere teams consistantly?
Harry Jones
Expert
Hahaha! The AA and the A team
Derm
Roar Guru
So this is the South Africa B team?
Harry Jones
Expert
Yes, I'm a bit worried about Faf's kicking. Paige and Groom are good with the boot.
Harry Jones
Expert
I think that's the team he'll pick, w JPP...
I am quite surprised by that to be honest
Harry Jones
Expert
Strauss is captain
felix
Guest
Strauss is the skipper,a future in psychology perhaps ;-) Biltong your number 11 should be Mvovo but will he leave out JP experience and defense ability for a bit of extra pace?? Beast Strauss Malherbe Etzebeth Du Toit Kriel Louw Vermeulen Faf Lambie JP De Allende Mapoe Combrinck Le Roux The quotas can fill the bench perhaps? Harry those halfbacks have to be able to launch an attack from anywhere because I don't see neither having the boot of Du Preez or Pienaar to justify their selection in a mostly "structured" gameplan so here's to hoping we see some X factor ;-)
Derm
Roar Guru
Is it really a key stat. Harry? I think Played 22 and won 16 is the key stat. there's only been 7 away matches. The last match in SA was 12 years ago. 5 of the 7 away matches were between 1961 and 1981. Since start of the Six Nations and professional era proper, there's been 9 matches between the two - 7 home, 2 away. SA lead 5-4. the margins in that time have been 10, 14, 9, 5, 17, 5, 2, 4 & 14. Quite a few factors at play for this series. SA in transformation mode. Ireland down a few stalwarts through injury, and Schmidt not picking on form. As someone else noted, the absence of O'Brien, O'Mahony, O'Donnell, and van der Flier and non-selection of Henry leaves them grasping at straws somewhat in the open side department. Much longer season with RWC is not going to help Ireland either. Those are more telling factors that any historical record from 12 years ago and longer.
Harry Jones
Expert
Maybe Flo
Charl
Guest
Apologies, I stand corrected :) Do we have a smoothie like Sir Rutcie?
Question is what will his likely starting xv be? Coetzee wants a controlled gameplan. 1. Beast 2. Strauss 3. Malherbe 4. Etzebeth 5. Du Toit 6. Louw 7. Kolosi/Kriel 8. Vermeulen 9. Groom 10. Lambie 11. ? 12. De Allende 13. Mapoe 14. Combrink 15 Le Roux